BHUBANESWAR: The Election Commission of India (ECI) today announced biennial polls to 58 Rajya Sabha seats from 16 states including three from Odisha on March 23. The term of union minister
for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan, who was elected from Bihar, will also come to an end on April 2, 2018.
Members from Odisha whose terms are ending include AU Singhdeo, Dilip Tirkey (both BJD) and AV Swami (Independent).
While notification for the Rajya Sabha polls will be issued on March 5, the last date for filing of nomination papers is March 12. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on March 13. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers will be March 15, polling and counting will be held on March 23. Election process will be completed by March 26.